During the first wave of the Operation Rat, the Davion Light Guards landed on St. Andre along with the Alpha and Beta regiments of the 12th Vegan Rangers. The Light Guards Third Battalion and the Rangers faced the first battalion of the Blackwind Lancers, inflicting heavy casualties on the CCAF unit and causing them to surrender. The Guards then seized the Blackwind Lancers' headquarters and convinced Gordon's Cuirassiers to sortie from the city of Jerome. The Guards and Rangers then destroyed that unit as well.[3]

The First and Second battalions of the Light Guards were attacked by Liao AeroSpace Fighters on their way in, scattering the two battalions and allowing Cochraine's Goliaths to begin grinding down the two units. The double-strength Delta Company quickly landed behind the attacking Goliaths, closed with them, and destroyed five of them in the opening salvo. The lighter 'Mechs of Delta Company massed their fire and were able to get inside the minimum range of the PPCs and LRMs of the Goliaths used by Cochraine's unit. This sudden attack allowed the Light Guards battalions to regroup and destroy Cochraine's Goliaths.[4] On Algot a few months later, the Light Guards destroyed the 2nd Ariana Fusiliers.[5]

During the FedCom Civil War they fought on Sirdar and New Syrtis against Katherine's forces. Later they joined Victor's assault on New Avalon, where they suffered heavy casualties.[9] In 3067, they were reactivated, but they were only at approximately 50% of their listed strength.[2]

At the outbreak of the Jihad the Davion Light Guards attempted to land on New Avalon but they were intercepted by Word of Blake WarShips and destroyed before they could make planetfall.[10] The Davion Light Guards were struck from AFFS rolls for the first time in history after this event.[11]

Though observers expected the rebuilding process to take several years, Marshal Jon Davion found a quick workaround: He drafted the entire 1st NAIS Cadet Cadre into the Brigade of Guards as the new Davion Light Guards. Though this has provided skilled soldiers in a hurry, they still need time to work together and rebuild their forces before they can deploy. Their current posting to New Avalon will likely provide them the time they need.[11]

The new Light Guards are staffed by the veterans of the FedCom Civil War and the Jihad. In 3085 the Light Guards were stationed in the Periphery March and had been involved in several anti-pirate raids and defensive missions.[12] The Light Guards were one of the first units to receive supplies of the new Cuirass BattleMech in July 3086, and the Light Guards proceeded to use the new 'Mechs as the core of a new Delta Company.[13]

During the Draconis Combine's assault into the Federated Suns, the Light Guards were stationed on Brookeland. They inflicted heavy losses on the 10th Ghost and 11th Ghost regiments.[14] During this fighting the Light Guards sent a lance of Gunsmith BattleMechs behind the Eleventh's lines to perform deep raiding duties. After two weeks of raids, the Eleventh had lost seven 'Mechs, six tanks, and nineteen suits of battle armor. They had also destroyed thousands of tons of supplies and parts.[15] This raid was a response to the Eleventh Ghost using Shillelagh Missile Tanks to destroy half a Light Guard lance.[16]

The Light Guards used speed and maneuverability to outmaneuver their opponents instead of relying on firepower. They would try to remain on the edge of a battle field, slashing in and isolating small units of enemy forces and destroying them via massed fire. Then they would withdraw to the edge of the battle and look for another opportunity to slash in at the enemy.[21]

After rebuilding and retraining on New Avalon for several years, the Light Guards continue their traditional hit and run tactics, but the unit has also been equipped with assault-class battle armor. This armor is deployed on the battlefield via VTOLs and fast hovercraft. The battle armor acts as an anvil while the fast 'Mechs streak in and slash at the enemy. Backup for the battle armor is provided by a complete regiment of attack VTOLs.[12]

During the wargames on New Syrtis in 3064/3065, the Davion Light Guards received a further nick-name: the Grease Foxes. None of the other units had been able to outmaneuver and trap them.[citation needed]